Control device for a bicycle and bicycle comprising such a device

ABSTRACT

A control device for a bicycle, has a first body adapted to be attached to a bicycle handlebar, at least one control member of at least one bicycle component, and a second body, distinct from the first body, connected to the first body to increase a grip surface of the control device and/or to vary the relative position of the at least one control member with respect to the handlebar of the bicycle, so as to adapt the control device to the size of the cyclist&#39;s hand.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/039,810, filed Feb. 29, 2008, which claimed priority of ItalianPatent Application No. MI2007A000400, filed Mar. 1, 2007, the entirecontents of all of which are incorporated by reference herein as iffully set forth.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a control device for a bicycle. Inparticular, the invention relates to a control device used to ride abicycle and to actuate/control at least one bicycle component as in, forexample, a derailleur (front or rear), a brake (for the front or rearwheel), a servo-assisted gearshift, or a cyclecomputer.

BACKGROUND

Known control devices for racing bicycles are associated with the curvedportions of the bicycle handlebar, one on the right and one on the left,to allow the cyclist to grip it to ride the bicycle, as an alternativeto the grip on the classical grip provided on the curved portions of thehandlebar, and to allow simultaneous actuation/control of one or morecomponents of the bicycle as in, for example, a brake (front or rear), aderailleur (front or rear), and possibly a cyclecomputer.

Known control devices typically comprise a support body mounted on thehandlebar of the bicycle so as to project ahead from it and it is shapedso as to make it easier for the cyclist to grip it in particular racingsituations. Moreover, in the case in which there is a derailleuractuation lever on the inner side wall of the support body, when thecyclist actuates this lever with his thumb it can knock against the endsof the other fingers. In these circumstances an uncomfortable conditionfor the cyclist occurs, with a consequent loss of efficiency of thegrip.

Moreover, in the case of cyclists with large hands, the space defined onthe support body between the derailleur actuation lever arranged behindthe brake lever and the handlebar can be very small, with the consequentpossibility of accidental contact with the aforementioned lever when thecyclist rides the bicycle gripping the handlebar at the opposite curvedend portions thereof. Such an accidental contact is made even moreprobable by the fact that the cyclist typically wears gloves thatincrease the bulk of the fingers.

SUMMARY

The control device for a bicycle includes a first body adapted to beassociated with a bicycle handlebar. The control device further includesat least one control member of at least one bicycle component, and asecond body, distinct from the first body, associated with the firstbody.

A kit of parts can also be assembled to form a control device for abicycle. The kit includes a first body adapted to be associated with abicycle handlebar and is provided with at least one control member of atleast one bicycle component. The kit further includes at least twosecond bodies adapted to be selectively associated with the first body,wherein the at least two second bodies differ in at least one of shapeand size.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the control device shallbecome clearer from the following detailed description of some preferredembodiments thereof, made with reference to the attached drawings. Inthese drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a known control device;

FIG. 2 is a side view partially in section of a first embodiment of acontrol device;

FIG. 2 a is a sectional view along the plane A of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are sectional views of two alternative embodiments of thecontrol device;

FIG. 5 is a side view partially in section of a further embodiment ofthe control device;

FIGS. 6 to 8 are sectional views of three further alternativeembodiments of the control device;

FIG. 9 is a schematic front view of a further embodiment of the controldevice;

FIGS. 10-15 are side views partially in section of further alternativeembodiments of the control device;

FIG. 16 is a side view partially in section of a further embodiment of acontrol device;

FIG. 16 a is a perspective view of an element (second body) of thecontrol device of FIG. 16;

FIG. 16 b is a top view of the element of FIG. 16 a;

FIG. 16 c is a sectional view along the plane Z-Z of FIG. 16 b;

FIG. 17 is a side view partially in section of a further embodiment of acontrol device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) Introduction to theEmbodiments

The control device is adapted to be used in a racing bicycle, i.e., in abicycle whose handlebar has opposite curved free end portions.

A bicycle can comprise the aforementioned control device.

Further, a kit of parts can be assembled to form the aforementionedcontrol device.

Throughout the present description and in the subsequent claims, thespatial terms, in particular the terms front, rear, side, upper, lower,vertical, and horizontal, are used with reference to the mountedcondition of the control device on the handlebar of the bicycle. Theterms inner and outer, on the other hand, with reference to thehandlebar in a neutral position, identify the area towards the center ofthe handlebar and the area opposite the center of the handlebar withrespect to an intermediate reference plane which substantiallyvertically passes through the control device.

In a first aspect thereof, a control device for a bicycle comprises afirst body adapted to be associated with a bicycle handlebar, at leastone control member of at least one bicycle component, and a second body,distinct from the first body, associated with the first body.

The control device that is formed from two distinct bodies can beassociated with each other allows the cyclist to adapt the controldevice to the size of his hand. The cyclist has the possibility ofincreasing the hand rest surface and/or of modifying the relativepositioning of the control members with respect to the handlebar.

A suitable coupling and positioning of the second body at suitablesurfaces of the first body allows the hand rest surface to be increased.In this case, the aforementioned first body defines a first grip portionof the control device and the second body defines a second grip portionof the control device.

A suitable coupling and positioning of the second body at suitablesurfaces of the first body also allows the space between the possiblederailleur actuation lever arranged behind a brake lever to beincreased.

In this case, the second body is associated with the first body so as tobe operatively interposed between the first body and the handlebar ofthe bicycle when the first body is associated with such handlebar.

A suitable coupling and positioning of the second body at suitablesurfaces of the first body also allows the distance between the brakelever and the handlebar to be reduced.

Also in this case, the second body is associated with the first body soas to be operatively interposed between the first body and the handlebarof the bicycle when the first body is associated with such handlebar.

The second body is associated with the first body at respective couplingsurfaces having a matching shape. In particular, a shape coupling ismade between the second body and the first body.

In a first embodiment of the control device, the second body ispositioned in a single predetermined position with respect to the firstbody. In this case a plurality (for example three) of second bodies ofdifferent shapes and sizes can be provided so as to allow the cyclist toselect the most suitable one, according to the size of his own hand.

In this case, the coupling between the first body and the second bodycan, for example, be carried out through screws, glue, or through a snapcoupling or a dap joint. A simple shape coupling can also be carried outin which the coupling of the two matching surfaces is maintained by theholding action exerted by an outer coating sheath that covers the firstbody and the second body.

In an alternative embodiment thereof, the control device comprises atleast one adjustment member of the position of the second body withrespect to the first body. The cyclist in this case has the opportunityto precisely adjust the relative positioning of the second body withrespect to the first body.

This adjustment member comprises a screw/female screw couplingoperatively interposed between the first body and the second body,wherein one from the screw and the female screw is associated with onefrom the first body and the second body and the other from the screw andthe female screw is associated with the other from the first body andthe second body.

The second body is removably associated with the first body, so as to beable to allow an interchangeability of the second bodies.

Irrespective of the specific embodiment of the control device, an outercoating sheath covers the first body and the second body. Such a sheathalso carries out the function of keeping the coupling surfaces of thefirst body and of the second body in contact with each other, ensuringthe coupling between first body and second body even in the absence offurther connection means such as glue or screws.

The control device comprises various embodiments, including wherein thesecond body is associated with a lower surface, an inner side surface,an outer side surface, an upper surface and a rear surface,respectively, of the first body and extends fully or only partially overone or more of the aforementioned surfaces of the first body. When thesecond body is associated with the rear surface of the first body, thesecond body is operatively interposed between the first body and thehandlebar when the first body is associated with the handlebar.

In a second aspect thereof, a bicycle comprising the control devicedescribed above has all of the structural and functional characteristicsdiscussed above with reference to the control device individually or incombination.

In a third aspect thereof, a kit of parts for the assembly of a controldevice for a bicycle, comprises a first body adapted to be associatedwith a bicycle handlebar and provided with at least one control memberof at least one bicycle component, and at least two second bodiesadapted to be selectively associated with the first body, wherein the atleast two second bodies differ in at least one from shape and size.

The aforementioned kit of parts allows the cyclist to adapt the controldevice to the size of his own hand, increasing the hand rest surfaceand/or modifying the relative positioning of the control members withrespect to the handlebar.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is made with reference to a right controldevice, i.e., a control device that is adapted to be associated with thehandlebar of the bicycle at the curved end portion of the handlebarthat, looking at the handlebar in the neutral position thereof and froma point of view like that of the cyclist during travel, is located tothe right of the cyclist. However, it is clear that what is describedhas analogous application in the case of a left control device.

FIG. 1 shows a known control device 150. Such a device comprises a mainbody 151 made in a single piece. The main body 151 is adapted to bemounted on the handlebar of a racing bicycle at the opposite curved endportions of the handlebar.

FIGS. 2-15, on the other hand, show various embodiments of a controldevice 1.

In all of these embodiments, the control device 1 comprises a first body20 and a second body 30 associated with the first body 20.

The control device 1 is adapted to be fixed, at a rear wall 3 thereof,to a curved end portion of a handlebar 100 of a racing bicycle, so as toproject ahead of the handlebar to be gripped by the cyclist inparticular racing situations as in, for example, climbing or sprinting.

The attachment of the control device 1 to the handlebar of the bicycletakes place through conventional connection means (not illustrated) as,for example, a clip.

The control device 1 is defined, as well as by the rear wall 3, by anouter side wall 4 (FIGS. 2 a, 3, 4, 6-8), an inner side wall 5 arrangedon the opposite side to the outer side wall 4 with respect to anintermediate reference plane P (FIGS. 2 a, 3, 4, 6-8) vertically passingthrough the first body 20, an upper transversal wall 6 connecting theouter side wall 4 and the inner side wall 5 together and a lowertransversal wall 7 opposite the upper transversal wall 6.

Throughout the present description and in the subsequent claims, theexpression “intermediate reference plane” is used to indicate anysubstantially vertical plane that passes through the control device, notnecessarily a plane of symmetry or a middle plane of such a controldevice.

All the walls of the control device 1 are covered by an outer coatingsheath G.

In all the embodiments illustrated in the attached figures, the firstbody 20 is shaped so as to make it easier for the cyclist to grip it.Therefore, it has a projection 100 upwards in a front portion 10thereof. Thus the upper wall 6 a of the body 20 has a substantiallysaddle-shaped profile, as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 2 a, 5, 10-15.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 2 a, the outer side wall 4,the inner side wall 5, the upper transversal wall 6 and the rear wall 3of the control device 1 are defined by an outer side surface 4 a, aninner side surface 5 a, an upper transversal surface 6 a and a rearsurface 3 a of the first body 20, respectively, whereas the lowertransversal wall 7 of the control device 1 is fully defined by a lowertransversal surface 7 b of the second body 30.

An alternative embodiment of the control device 1 illustrated in FIGS. 2and 2 a can be provided, wherein the lower transversal wall 7 of thecontrol device 1 is defined in part by the lower transversal surface 7 bof the second body 30 and in part by a lower transversal surface 7 a ofthe first body 20. In this case, the second body 30 is shorter in lengththan the first body 20 at the respective lower transversal surfaces 7 aand 7 b. The control device 1 comprises, at the front portion 10 of thefirst body 20, a brake cable actuation lever 40. The lever 40 is hingedto the first body 20 at the upper part of the first body 20 in aconventional way.

The control device 1 further comprises an actuation lever 50 of aderailleur (in particular of a rear derailleur) in a first gearshiftingdirection. The lever 50 is arranged behind the brake lever 40 and isarticulated to the first body 20 in a conventional way.

The control device 1 then comprises a derailleur actuation lever 60 in agearshifting direction opposite the one in which the derailleur isactuated by acting upon the lever 50. The lever 60 is articulated to thefirst body 20 at the inner side surface 5 a thereof and projects fromit. The lever 50 and the lever 60 act upon a mechanical-type controldevice arranged inside the first body 20 as, for example, described inU.S. Pat. No. 6,792,826 to the same Applicant, incorporated herein byreference.

The second body 30 has a coupling surface 31 with the first body 20.

The second body 30 can be associated with the first body 20 at any ofthe various surfaces of the first body 20.

With particular reference to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 2a, the second body 30 is associated with the first body 20 at the lowersurface 7 a of the first body 20 and extends substantially over theentire lower surface 7 a of the first body 20. The second body 30 can bepositioned with respect to the first body 20 so as to define a singlepredetermined relative position. Between the lower surface 7 a of thefirst body 20 and the coupling surface 31 of the second body 30, anadhesive substance can be arranged, for example a glue, but othercoupling means can be provided such as, for example, screws. It is alsopossible to simply provide a shape coupling between matching surfaces 7a and 31 of the first body 20 and of the second body 30, such a couplingbeing kept operative by the compression action exerted by the outercoating sheath G. The coupling between the surface 7 a of the first body20 and the matching surface 31 of the second body 30 can also be a snapor dap joint coupling.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 2 a, the outer side wall 4and the inner side part 5 of the control device 1 have respectivesurfaces substantially parallel to the intermediate reference plane P,apart from small convexities and roundings.

When the cyclist grips the control device 1, part of the palm of hishand rests on the upper transversal wall 6 and part on the outer sidewall 4. The fingers of the hand, meanwhile, rest upon part of the outerside wall 4, upon the lower transversal wall 7 and upon the inner sidewall 5. The thumb embraces the control device 1 from the top restingupon the surface of the inner side wall 5, whereas the other fingersembrace the control device from the bottom with their ends resting uponthe surface of the inner side wall 5. Comparing FIGS. 2 and 2 a withFIG. 1, it can be seen how the use of the second body 30 causes on thecontrol device 1 an increase of the rest surface for the cyclist's hand.

The second body 30 can also comprise a portion 7 c (shown with a brokenline in FIG. 2) that, projecting rearwardly with respect to the firstbody 20, allows the levers 40 and 50 to be moved away from thehandlebar.

FIG. 16 shows an alternative embodiment of a control device. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 16, the second body 30 is associated with thefirst body 20 at the lower surface 7 a of the first body 20 and extendsfor a short part of such a lower surface 7 a. The second body 30comprises a portion 7 c that, projecting rearwardly with respect to thefirst body 20, allows the control device 1 to be positioned on thehandlebar in a rotated position with respect to that of a conventionalcontrol device, with the levers 40 and 50 being more distant from thehandlebar. This is a favourable configuration in the case of cyclistswith large hands.

More specifically, as also shown in FIGS. 16 a to 16 c, the second body30 has a coupling surface 31 having a shape which substantially matchthat of the part 7 a′ of the lower surface 7 a against which it is incontact, while the projecting portion 7 c is substantially U-shaped andis coupled with an edge 20 a of the first body 20. Such a couplingoccurs substantially by mechanical interference. The rear part 7 e ofthe projecting portion 7 c, that is the part which faces the handlebar,has a substantially cylindrical shape adapted to couple with thesubstantially cylindrical outer surface of the handlebar.

The alternative embodiment of FIG. 17 differs from that of FIG. 16 inthat the U-shaped end part has an undercut edge 7 d. The area of theprojecting portion 7 c where is formed such an undercut edge 7 d ispreferably elastically pliable so that the second body 30 can be snapcoupled to the first body 20.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show alternative embodiments of the control device 1. InFIGS. 3 and 4, elements corresponding to those described above withreference to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 2 a are indicatedwith the same reference numeral.

The embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 differ from the oneillustrated in FIGS. 2 and 2 a only for the size of the second body 30.In particular, the height of the second body 30 of FIG. 3 is greaterthan that of the second body 30 of FIGS. 2 and 2 a and the height of thesecond body 30 of FIG. 4 is greater than that of the second body 30 ofFIG. 3. Comparing FIGS. 2 a, 3, and 4 it can be seen how, as the heightof the second body 30 increases, the rest surface for the cyclist's handincreases.

The coupling between the first body 20 and the second body 30 can be ofthe removable type.

A removable coupling can, for example, be made by providing a couplingthrough screws, or through shape coupling at the matching surfaces ofthe first body 20 and of the second body 30.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the control device 1 which differsfrom that of FIGS. 2 and 2 a only in that the coupling between the firstbody 20 and the second body 30 is of the adjustable type. The elementsof FIG. 5 corresponding to those described above with reference to theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 2 a are indicated with the samereference numeral.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, an adjustment member of the relativeposition between the second body 30 and the first body 20 is provided soas to be able to adjust the position of the second body 30 with respectto the first body 20 as desired. In particular, such an adjustmentmember comprises an adjustment screw 32 associated, at one end thereof,with the second body 30 and, at the opposite end thereof, with a femalescrew 33 fixedly connected to the first body 20. Alternatively, thescrew 32 can be associated with the first body 20 and the female screw33 can be fixedly connected to the second body 30.

The second body 30 can also comprise a portion 7 c (shown with a brokenline in FIG. 5) which projects rearwardly with respect to the first body20. In this case, by acting upon the screw 32 the grip surface of thecontrol device 1 and the distance of the levers 40 and 50 from thehandlebar are simultaneously adjusted.

Further alternative embodiments of the control device 1 are provided asin, for example, those illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8. In suchfigures, elements corresponding to those described above with referenceto the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 2 a are indicated with thesame reference numeral.

The embodiments of FIGS. 6-8 differ from the one illustrated in FIGS. 2and 2 a in that the second body 30 is associated with the first body 20at an inner side surface 5 a of the first body 20 and in that the innerside wall 5 of the control device 1 has surface portions not parallel tothe intermediate reference plane P.

The inner side part 5 of the control device 1 is in this case defined inpart by an inner side surface 5 b of the second body 30 and in part byan inner side surface 5 a of the first body 20, whereas the outer sidewall 4, the upper transversal wall 6, the lower transversal wall 7, andthe rear wall 3 of the control device 1 are, on the other hand, definedby an outer side surface 4 a, an upper transversal surface 6 a, a lowertransversal surface 7 a, and a rear surface 3 a, respectively, of thefirst body 20.

Alternative embodiments of the control device 1 illustrated in FIGS. 6-8can be provided, wherein the inner side wall 5 of the control device 1is defined integrally by the inner side surface 5 b of the second body30. In this case, the second body 30 has a height substantially equal tothat of the first body 20 at the respective inner side surfaces 5 a and5 b.

The inner side wall 5 of the control device 1 has an upper portion 21, alower portion 22, and an intermediate portion 23. The lower portion 22and the intermediate portion 23 are defined in the second body 30,whereas the upper portion 21 is defined in the first body 20.

The upper portion 21 has a surface 11 substantially parallel to theintermediate reference plane P, and therefore to the surface of theouter side portion 4, again apart from small convexities and roundings.The lower portion 22, on the other hand, has a surface 12 which isinclined by an angle α with respect to the plane P. Between the surface11 of the upper portion 21 and the surface 12 of the lower portion 22,an intermediate surface 13 is defined. Such an intermediate surface 13is therefore defined at the intermediate portion 23 of the inner sidewall 5 of the control device 1.

The orientation of the surface 12 of the lower portion 22 of the innerside wall 5 is such that the surface 12 moves away from the intermediatereference plane P (and therefore from the outer side wall 4) as onemoves along the inner side wall 5 from the lower portion 22 towards theupper portion 21, i.e., from the bottom towards the top.

The angle α of inclination can be selected within the range of valuesbetween 20° and 60°.

However, in the preferred embodiment of the control device 1, the angleα is within the range of values between 30° and 50°, and preferably issubstantially equal to 40°.

The orientation of the intermediate surface 13, on the other hand, issuch that the surface 13 goes towards the intermediate reference plane P(and therefore to the outer side wall 4) as one moves along the innerside wall 5 from the lower portion 22 towards the upper portion 21.

The surface 12 of the lower portion 22 of the inner side wall 5 and theintermediate surface 13 define an enlargement of the control device 1which has, in a direction from the bottom towards the top, an extensiongreater than the extension of the surface 11 of the upper portion 21 ofthe side wall 5.

In an alternative embodiment (not illustrated) of the control device,the coupling between the first body 20 and the second body 30 can bemade at the outer side wall 4 a of the first body 20.

FIG. 6 illustrates in particular an embodiment of the control device 1wherein the coupling between the second body 30, in which the lowerportion 22 and the intermediate portion 23 of the inner side wall 5 aredefined, and the first body 20 takes place at respective couplingsurfaces having a matching shape. The two coupling surfaces are kept inabutment against one another by the outer coating sheath G. In theillustrated example, the angle of inclination a is substantially equalto 40°, but the value of such an angle can be anything within the rangebetween 20° and 60°.

FIG. 7, on the other hand, illustrates an embodiment of the controldevice 1, wherein the coupling between the second body 30, in which thelower portion 22 and the intermediate portion 23 of the inner side wall5 of the control device 1 are defined, and the first body 20 is a snapcoupling. In the illustrated example, the angle of inclination a issubstantially equal to 60°, but the value of such an angle can beanything within the range between 20° and 60°.

FIG. 8 illustrates a further embodiment of the control device 1, whereinthe coupling between the second body 30, in which the lower portion 22and the intermediate portion 23 of the inner side wall 5 of the controldevice 1 are defined, and the first body 20 takes place through screws71. In the illustrated example, the angle of inclination a issubstantially equal to 20°, but the value of such an angle can beanything within the range between 20° and 60°.

In a further embodiment of the control device 1, or possibly also in theembodiments illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, between the couplingsurfaces 31 of the second body 30 and 5 a of the first body 20, anadhesive substance can be arranged as, for example, a glue.

In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 6-8, when the cyclist grips thecontrol device 1, part of the palm of his hand rests upon the uppertransversal wall 6 and part upon the outer side wall 4. The fingers ofthe hand, meanwhile, rest upon part of the outer side wall 4, upon thelower transversal wall 7, and upon the inner side wall 5. The thumbembraces the control device 1 from the top resting upon the surface 11of the upper portion 21 or upon the surface 13 of the intermediateportion 23 of the inner side wall 5, whereas the other fingers embracethe control device 1 from the bottom with their ends resting upon thesurface 12 of the lower portion 22 of the inner side wall 5.

FIG. 9 shows a further alternative embodiment of the control device 1.In this figure, elements corresponding to those described above withreference to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 2 a are indicatedwith the same reference numeral.

The embodiment of FIG. 9 differs from the one illustrated in FIGS. 2 and2 a only in that, in this embodiment, the second body 30 is defined by afinger rest element 120 associated with the first body 20 at a lowerportion 22 of the latter. The finger rest element 120 extends accordingto a direction inclined by the angle α with respect to the intermediatereference plane P. Between the finger rest element 120 and the firstbody 20 an inclination adjustment member of the finger rest element 120with respect to the first body 20 is provided. In the illustratedexample, such an adjustment member comprises an adjustment screw 32associated, at one end thereof, with a female screw 33 fixedly connectedto the first body 20 and, at the opposite end thereof, with the fingerrest element 120. Alternatively, the screw 32 can be associated with thefinger rest element 120 and the female screw 33 can be fixedly connectedto the first body 20.

When the cyclist grips the control device 1, part of the palm of hishand rests upon the upper transversal wall 6 and part upon the outerside wall 4. The fingers of the hand, meanwhile, rest upon part of theouter side wall 4, upon the lower transversal wall 7, and upon the innerside wall 5. The thumb embraces the control device 1 from the topresting upon the surface of the inner side wall 5, whereas the otherfingers embrace the control device 1 from the bottom with their endsresting upon the finger rest element 120.

FIG. 10 illustrates a further embodiment of the control device 1. Suchan embodiment differs from that of FIGS. 2 and 2 a only in that thesecond body 30 is associated with the first body 20 at the rear surface3 a of the latter and extends over a part of the rear surface 3 a, withthe thicker part of the second body 30 arranged at the lower part of therear surface 3 a of the first body 20. In FIG. 10, elementscorresponding to those described above with reference to the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 2 and 2 a are indicated with the same referencenumeral.

The second body 30 can be positioned with respect to the first body 20so as to define a single predetermined relative position. Between therear surface 3 a of the first body 20 and the coupling surface 31 of thesecond body 30 an adhesive substance can be provided as in, for example,a glue.

In the embodiment of FIG. 10, the rear wall 3 of the control device 1 isdefined in part by the rear surface 3 a of the first body 20 and in partby the rear surface 3 b of the second body 30, whereas the outer sidewall 4, the inner side wall 5, the upper transversal wall 6, and thelower transversal wall 7 of the control device 1 are, on the other hand,defined by an outer side surface 4 a, an inner side surface 5 a, anupper transversal surface 6 a, and a lower transversal surface 7 a,respectively, of the first body 20.

An alternative embodiment of the control device 1 illustrated in FIG. 10can be provided, wherein the rear wall 3 of the control device 1 isintegrally defined by the rear surface 3 b of the second body 30. Inthis case, the second body 30 has a height substantially equal to thatof the first body 20 at the respective rear surfaces 3 a and 3 b.

The use of a coupling configuration like the one illustrated in FIG. 10allows the control device 1 of FIG. 10 to be positioned on the handlebarin a rotated position with respect to a conventional device, with thelevers 40 and 50 being at a greater distance from the handlebar. Thissituation is favorable for cyclists with large hands.

FIG. 11 illustrates a further embodiment of the control device 1. Suchan embodiment differs from that of FIG. 10 only in that the second body30 is associated with the first body 20 on a part of the rear surface 3a of the latter with the thickest part of the second body 30 arranged atthe upper part of the rear surface 3 a of the first body 20. The use ofa coupling configuration like the one illustrated in FIG. 11 allows thecontrol device 1 of FIG. 10 to be positioned on the handlebar in arotated position with respect to a conventional device, with the levers40 and 50 being closer to the handlebar. This situation is favorable forcyclists with small hands.

An alternative embodiment of the control device 1 illustrated in FIG. 11can be provided, wherein the rear wall 3 of the control device 1 isintegrally defined by the rear surface 3 b of the second body 30. Inthis case, the second body 30 has a height substantially equal to thatof the first body 20 at the respective rear surfaces 3 a and 3 b.

FIG. 12 illustrates a further embodiment of the control device 1. Suchan embodiment differs from that of FIG. 10 in that an adjustment memberof the relative position between the second body 30 and the first body20 is provided so as to adjust the position of the second body 30 withrespect to the first body 20 as desired. In particular, such anadjustment member comprises an adjustment screw 32 associated, at oneend thereof, with the second body 30 and, at the opposite end thereof,with a female screw 33 fixedly connected to the first body 20.Alternatively, the screw 32 can be associated with the first body 20 andthe female screw 33 can be fixedly connected to the second body 30.

FIG. 13 illustrates a further embodiment of the control device 1. Suchan embodiment differs from that of FIGS. 2 and 2 a only in that thesecond body 30 is associated with the first body 20 both at part of thelower wall 7 (as in the embodiment of FIG. 2) and at part of the rearwall 3 of the control device 1 (as in the embodiment of FIG. 10) andsubstantially extends both on the lower wall 7 and on the rear surface3. The second body 30 can be positioned with respect to the first body20 so as to define a single predetermined relative position, but as forembodiments described previously it is possible to provide an adjustmentmember of the relative position of the second body 30 with respect tothe first body 20. Such a coupling configuration allows the advantagesdiscussed with reference to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2 and10 to be achieved.

In the embodiment of FIG. 13, the rear wall 3 of the control device 1 isin this case defined in part by the rear surface 3 a of the first body20 and in part by the rear surface 3 b of the second body 30. The outerside wall 4, the inner side wall 5, and the upper transversal wall 6 ofthe control device 1 are defined by an outer side surface 4 a, an innerside surface 5 a, and an upper transversal surface 6 a, respectively, ofthe first body 20, whereas the lower transversal wall 7 of the device 1is defined by a lower transversal surface 7 b of the second body 30.

An alternative embodiment of the control device 1 illustrated in FIG. 13can be provided, wherein the rear wall 3 of the control device 1 isintegrally defined by the rear surface 3 b of the second body 30 and thelower transversal wall 7 of the control device 1 is defined in part bythe lower transversal surface 7 a of the first body 20 and in part bythe lower transversal surface 7 b of the second body 30. In this case,the second body 30 is shorter in length and height than the first body20 at the respective lower transversal surfaces 7 a and 7 b and therespective rear surfaces 3 a and 3 b.

FIG. 14 illustrates a further embodiment of the control device 1. Suchan embodiment differs from that of FIGS. 2 and 2 a only in that thesecond body 30 is associated with the first body 20 at the upper surface6 a of the latter and extends over a part of the upper surface 6 a, withthe thickest part of the second body 30 arranged at the rear part of theupper surface 6 a of the first body 20. In FIG. 14, elementscorresponding to those described above with reference to the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 2 and 2 a are indicated with the same referencenumeral.

The second body 30 can be positioned with respect to the first body 20so as to define a single predetermined relative position. Between thesurface 6 a of the first body 20 and the coupling surface 31 of thesecond body 30 an adhesive substance can be provided as in, for example,a glue.

In the embodiment of FIG. 14, the upper wall 6 of the control device 1is defined in part by the upper surface 6 a of the first body 20 and inpart by the upper surface 6 b of the second body 30, whereas the outerside wall 4, the inner side wall 5, the rear wall 3 and the lowertransversal wall 7 of the control device 1 are, on the other hand,defined by an outer side surface 4 a, an inner side surface 5 a, a rearsurface 3 a, and a lower transversal surface 7 a, respectively, of thefirst body 20.

The second body 30 can also comprise a portion 7 c (shown with a brokenline in FIG. 14) which, projecting rearwardly with respect to the firstbody 20, allows the levers 40 and 50 to be brought closer to thehandlebar.

An alternative embodiment of the control device 1 illustrated in FIG. 14can be provided, wherein the upper wall 6 of the control device 1 isintegrally defined by the upper surface 6 b of the second body 30. Inthis case, the second body 30 has a length substantially equal to thatof the first body 20 at the respective upper surfaces 6 a and 6 b.

The use of a coupling configuration like the one illustrated in FIG. 14allows the grip surface of the control device to be increased. Thissituation is favorable for cyclists with large hands.

FIG. 15 illustrates a further embodiment of the control device 1. Suchan embodiment differs from that of FIGS. 2 and 2 a only in that thesecond body 30 is associated with the first body 20 both at part of theupper wall 6 (as in the embodiment of FIG. 14) and at part of the rearwall 3 of the latter (as in the embodiment of FIG. 11) and substantiallyextends both on the upper wall 6 and on the rear wall 3. The second body30 can be adjustably positioned with respect to the first body 20. Forthis purpose, an adjustment member of the relative position between thesecond body 30 and the first body 20 is provided at the crossing pointof the rear wall 3 with the upper wall 6 of the device 1, so as toadjust the position of the second body 30 with respect to the first body20 as desired. In particular, such an adjustment member comprises anadjustment screw 32 associated, at one end thereof, with the second body30 and, at the opposite end thereof, with a female screw 33 fixedlyconnected to the first body 20. Alternatively, the screw 32 can beassociated with the first body 20 and the female screw 33 can be fixedlyconnected to the second body 30.

As for the other embodiments described above, it is neverthelesspossible to associate the second body 30 with the first body 20 so as todefine a single predetermined relative position. Such a couplingconfiguration allows the advantages discussed above with reference tothe embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 10 or 11 to be achieved.

In the embodiment of FIG. 15, the rear wall 3 of the control device 1 isin this case defined in part by the rear surface 3 a of the first body20 and in part by the rear surface 3 b of the second body 30 and theupper wall 6 of the device is in part defined by the upper surface 6 aof the first body 20 and in part by the upper surface 6 b of the secondbody 30. The outer side wall 4, the inner side wall 5, and the lowertransversal wall 7 of the control device 1 are defined by an outer sidesurface 4 a, an inner side surface 5 a, and a lower transversal surface7 a, respectively, of the first body 20.

An alternative embodiment of the control device 1 illustrated in FIG. 15can be provided wherein the rear wall 3 of the control device 1 isintegrally defined by the rear surface 3 b of the second body 30 and theupper transversal wall 6 of the control device 1 is integrally definedby the upper transversal surface 6 b of the second body 30. In thiscase, the second body 30 has a length and height equal to those of thefirst body 20 at the respective upper transversal surfaces 6 a and 6 band the respective rear surfaces 3 a and 3 b.

One skilled in the art shall recognize that it is possible to combinethe various features of the embodiments described above to obtainfurther embodiments, all of which are in any case within the scope ofprotection as defined by the subsequent claims.

A kit of parts may be used to assemble a control device 1. The kitcomprises a first body 20 adapted to be associated with a bicyclehandlebar and at least two second bodies 30 adapted to be selectivelyassociated with the first body 20, wherein the at least two secondbodies 30 differ in at least one from shape and size. Such a kit issupplied to the cyclist to allow him to choose the second body 30 mostsuitable to adapt the control device 1 to the size of his hand.

What is claimed is:
 1. A control device for a bicycle, comprising: afirst body that defines a first grip portion of the control device andincludes a front portion, a rear surface and an upper transversalsurface; a brake lever; and a second body that is distinct from thefirst body and from the brake lever, the second body is directlyconnected to the upper transversal surface of the first body andincludes an upper transversal portion that defines an upper transversalwall of the control device; wherein the upper transversal portion of thesecond body defines a palm rest surface.
 2. The device according toclaim 1, wherein the second body is connected to the first body to varythe distance of the brake lever from the handlebar depending on the sizeof the second body.
 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein thesecond body is connected to the first body at respective couplingsurfaces having a matching shape.
 4. The device according to claim 1,wherein the second body is positioned in a single predetermined positionwith respect to the first body.
 5. The device according to claim 4,wherein the second body is connected to the first body through screws.6. The device according to claim 4, wherein the second body is connectedto the first body through glue.
 7. The device according to claim 4,wherein the second body is connected to the first body through a snapcoupling.
 8. The device according to claim 1, further comprising atleast one adjustment screw element for adjusting the position of thesecond body with respect to the first body.
 9. The device according toclaim 8, wherein the at least one adjustment screw element comprises ascrew/female screw coupling operatively arranged between the first bodyand the second body.
 10. The device according to claim 9, wherein onefrom the screw and the female screw is associated with one from thefirst body and second body and the other from the screw and the femalescrew is associated with the other from the first body and second body.11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second body isremovably connected to the first body.
 12. The device according to claim1, further comprising an outer coating sheath which covers the firstbody and second body.
 13. The device according to claim 1, wherein theupper transversal wall of the control device is defined in part by theupper transversal surface of the first body and in part by the uppertransversal portion of the second body.
 14. The device according toclaim 1, wherein the upper transversal wall of the control device isdefined integrally by the upper transversal portion of the second body.15. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second body is alsoassociated with a rear surface of the first body, so as to beoperatively arranged between the first body and the handlebar when thefirst body is associated with the handlebar.
 16. The device according toclaim 15, wherein the control device comprises a rear wall defined inpart by the rear surface of the first body and in part by a rear surfaceof the second body.
 17. The device according to claim 15, wherein thecontrol device comprises a rear wall defined integrally by a rearsurface of the second body.
 18. The device according to claim 1, whereinthe second body, when connected to the first body, extends at leastpartially over the rear surface of the first body.
 19. A bicyclecomprising a control device according to claim
 1. 20. The control deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein each of an outer side wall and an innerside part of the control device has a respective surface substantiallyparallel to a substantially vertical intermediate reference plane P thatpasses through the control device.
 21. The control device according toclaim 1, wherein an inner side wall of the control device has surfaceportions not parallel to a substantially vertical intermediate referenceplane P that passes through the control device.
 22. The control deviceaccording to claim 1, further comprising at least one adjustment memberfor adjusting the position of the second body with respect to the firstbody.
 23. The control device according to claim 8, wherein the secondbody comprises a portion that projects rearwardly with respect to thefirst body.
 24. The control device according to claim 8, wherein uponactivation of the adjustment screw element, a grip surface of thecontrol device and the distance of the brake lever from the handlebarare simultaneously adjusted.
 25. The control device of claim 1, whereinthe second body changes the position of the brake lever relative to thebicycle handlebar by rotating the brake lever with respect to thehandlebar.
 26. The control device of claim 25, wherein the second bodymates with the first body and the handlebar.
 27. The control device ofclaim 26, wherein the second body mates with the first body in a snapengagement.
 28. The control device of claim 1, comprising at least onelever that controls at least one bicycle component and that is directlyhinged to the front portion of the first body.